Friday, November 23, 2012
As usual, Mickey Mouse (or Mouse, Mickey) was the perennial favorite of voters who view the write-in option as a unique opportunity to express their First Amendment rights, but Mr. Mouse was just one of a host of wacky write-ins in the 2012 election.
During this election, write-in favorite Mickey Mouse was in good company. Believe it or not, at least one Apple Valley voter hit the polls simply to vote for Boba Fett, who is described as "all business, laconic, and deadly" in customized Mandalorian armor (take that Romney). That's right: Someone out there took at least an hour out of their day to cast a ballot for a Star Wars character, for both president and city council. And someone else thought that maybe a binge-eating Muppet or famous actress Scarlett Johanssen might liven up city hall a bit (nice try). Here's a sampling of some of the write-in candidates that appeared in Apple Valley's general election in 2012 (all got one vote unless noted otherwise): President U.S. Senator U.S. …
Sunday, November 11, 2012
In other news from around the region, Lakeville elects a 27-year-old mayor, and Eagan's Nicholas Mrozinski advances to the top 12 on NBC's "The Voice."
You can't be in front of your computer 24 hours a day, so each weekend, Patch reviews the top stories from the past seven days. Here's a look at the stories, which first appeared on this site or those of our neighbors, that might interest you or affect your life. To read the full stories, click on the headline links. Apple Valley-Rosemount General Election Results 2012 In city council races, it was a good night for incumbents. Eastview Boys Kick To Their First State Class 2A Soccer Crown Senior Jacob Opheim scored two goals, including the game-winner in the second half, and Eastview dropped Blaine 3-2 Thursday for its first state soccer championship. How Did Apple Valley, Rosemount Vote on Voter ID, Marriage Amendments? Check out our …
Saturday, November 10, 2012
We're hearing reports of long-time friendships being cut off, especially on social media, during the bitterly contested campaign. Did it happen to you?
The arguing is over. Admittedly, arguing over politics never really ends in the United States; that's part of the price we pay for living in a constitutional republic, in which the big decisions are made by a majority of the citizens. But at least, with the question of "who's going to be president the next four years?" settled, the arguing can settle back down to the ordinary background noise of bickering, as opposed to the daily shoutfests in which so many seemed to be engaged during the campaign. Or can it? We're hearing lots of reports about long-time relationships being cut off in recent months, especially on social media, as people discover that, "Oh my God, you're a (fill in the blank)?" "You support THAT guy?" "Don't you care …
Friday, November 9, 2012
Check out our citywide results for communities throughout Dakota County.
Want to know how Apple Valley and Rosemount residents voted on the Voter ID or marriage amendments? Check out our tables below for citywide results for both cities, and a number of other Dakota County communities, as well as countywide results for both measures. The Voter ID amendment, if passed, would have required Minnesotans to present valid photo identification to vote. The marriage amendment would have defined marriage as between one man and one woman. Statewide, the Voter ID ballot measure failed to pass the 50 percent level of support it needed (46.34 percent with all but three Minnesota precincts' results). The marriage amendment likewise failed, with only 47.58 percent of voters casting a 'yes' ballot. NOTE: These are unofficial…
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Incumbent Republican John Kline defeated Democrat Mike Obermueller by more than 8 points to keep his seat in congress.
Rep. John Kline (R-Lakeville) is going back to Washington, D.C. Kline defeated Democratic challenger Mike Obermueller by more than 8 points on Nov. 6. With each of the 291 precincts reporting, Kline received 193,587 votes, or 54.01 percent of the total votes cast. Obermueller received 164,335, or 45.85 percent. Patch will have more on this race in the coming days.
Apple Valley voters split down the middle on the constitutional amendment to require photo ID to vote.
Here's how residents in a selection of Minnesota cities voted on the proposed Voter ID amendment to the state Constitution, which would have required photo ID at polling places. Statewide, the ballot measure failed to pass the 50 percent level of support it needed (46.34 percent with all but three Minnesota precincts' results). But if citizens in 14 of these 36 Patch communities had their way, the state Constitution would have a new amendment. Support for the amendment in these cities covered by Patch ranged from 19.30 percent in Southwest Minneapolis to 61.23 percent in St. Michael.* (Lake Minnetonka Patch covers several cities, including Minnetrista, Tonka Bay, Wayzata, Mound, Shorewood, Orono, Spring Park, Deephaven, Long Lake and …
Use this forum to discuss kid issues with other parents. This week, we tackle children and politics.
Election Day may be over, but that doesn't mean we will stop hearing about politics any time soon. This varies widely with age of course, but many kids want to know what is being talked about on TV, the radio and at family gatherings. So when political chatter arises, do you explain to your children what's being talked about or do you give a general answer? Do you feel like your kids should believe what you do or make up their own minds? "Of course, part of the cool thing about being a parent is creating 'mini-me's,' and in Washington that means creating a new generation of party members, regardless of what party you're affiliated with," wrote Tracy Grant in a Washington Post blog. And, what if your family is split on an issue/candidate …
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Greg Clausen will join the DFL majority in the Minnesota Senate, while Tara Mack and Anna Wills will sit in the GOP minority in the State House.
Like us on Facebook | Get our newsletter | Follow us on Twitter | Start a blog A DFLer and two Republicans will represent Apple Valley-Rosemount in the upcoming session of the Minnesota Legislature. Republicans Tara Mack and Anna Wills were elected to the House of Representatives, while the DFL’s Greg Clausen took the Senate seat. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mack, the two-term incumbent in the old House District 37A, retains her spot in the redistricted House District 57A. She will represent 11 of Apple Valley’s 16 precincts and two precincts in Lakeville. According to unofficial vote totals from the Minnesota Secretary of State website, the Apple Valley resident defeated DFLer Roberta Gibbons, an Apple Valley insurance agent, by a vote of 11…
With all votes counted, Vanessa Olson Demuth is the sole newcomer to elected city government.
Like us on Facebook | Get our newsletter | Follow us on Twitter | Start a blog It was a good night to be an incumbent in Apple Valley and Rosemount. With all votes counted, Apple Valley City Council members Tom Goodwin and Ruth Grendhahl were returned to office for another four years, defeating their three challengers: Michael Holsten, Wilma Ruppert and Nicholas Stepka. Goodwin, who has served on the council since 1984, had 11,448 votes, or 31.86 percent of the total. Grendahl, first elected to the council in 1997, won 10,855, or 30.21 percent of the total. Holsten, Rupper and Stepka wall received fewer than 5,000 votes. Goodwin, reached at home late Tuesday, said the victory of council incumbents reflected the fact that "the city's in …
Barry Anderson and David R. Stras retain Minnesota Associate Justice seats.
Incumbent Lorie Skjerven Gildea will retain her role as Minnesota Supreme Court Justice in her win over Dan Griffith in the Nov. 6 general election, according to unofficial results posted on the Minnesota Secretary of State website. In the statewide race, Skjerven Gilda received 59.99 percent of the votes and Dan Griffith received 39.62 percent of the vote. Skjerven Gildea was appointed Chief Justice January 2006 and her term was set to expire January 2013. Other statewide judicial winners included incumbent Barry Anderson for Associate Justice - Supreme Court 1 (Seat 1) over Dean Barkley. Anderson received 58.93 percent of the votes to Barkley’s 40.68 percent of the vote. Incumbent David R. Stras for Associate Justice - Supreme Court 4…
Beth Houston
1:02 pm on Monday, November 12, 2012
I got called every name in the book short of a death threat over whom I voted for. more ›